Combined signal-flag, staff, and holder.



E. PAX 6; W. D; GARRIGK.

PATENTED MAR. 13, 1906.

GOMBINED SIGNALFLAG, STAFF, AND HOLDER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 23. 1905.

WITNESSES k N VEJVT 0R 3 25m TM ATTORNEYS 'UNITED STATES P E T OFFICE.

E WARD BAX AND WILLIAM'D'. .diiliiiiox, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

COMBINED SIGNAL -F LAG, STAFF, AND HOLDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

ratented. March 13, 1906.

Application filed June 23, 1905'. $erial No. 266,553. I

vented new and useful Improvements in a Combined Signal-Flag, Staff, and Holder, of

' end of the staff. The staff is formed of two which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to improvements in a combined signal-flag, staff, and holder.

The object of our invention it to provide a signal-flag, staff, and holder of such construction that the flag and staff may be folded and stored in a compact and convenient form to be carried in a persons pocket and may, when occasion requires, be readily and quickly opened, unfolded, and extended in condition for use.

The construction of our inventionis explained by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a vertical section of the case for inclosing the stafi and flag, the staff being shown as folded therein, part in section. Fig. 2 represents a side view of the flag and staff-inclosing case; and Fig. 3 represents a side view of the flag, the staff unfolded and the inclosing case attached to the lower end of the staff in position for use as a signal.

Like parts are identified by the same reference characters throughout the several views. 1 represents the flag, attached to the upper parts 2 and 3, which are pivotally connected together by the link 4 and pivots 5 5, whereby when said parts are folded they are readily retained within the inclosing case 6. The lower end of the stafi 3 is permanently affixed to the base 7, which base is detachably connected with the open end of the case 6. The base 7 is adapted to serve as a stopper to the case 6 when the flag is inclosed therein, as shown in Fig. 1. When, however, the flag is withdrawn from the case, said part 7 is inverted and the oppositev end is inserted in the top of the case 6, when said case 6 seryes as a handle to the signal. The base 7 is provided with a radial projection 8, which is adapted to engage in the angular groove 9 formed in the top of the case 6, both when the flag is folded and inclosed therein, as well as when the flag is unfolded and extended, as shown in Fig. 3. Ifdesirous so to do, the base 7 may be provided with screw-threaded bear ings of ordinary construction adapted to engage in corresponding bearings in the inclosing case, or any other equivalent means may be employed for securing the base to the top of the inclosing case. 1

To provide for quickly unfolding and securing the staff in its extended position, (shown in 3,) we have provided the lower portion of the staff 3 with a-spring-actuated sleeve 9 and spiral spring 10, which spring is interposed between the shoulder 11, formed on the lower end of the stafl 3 and said sleeve 9.

Preparatory to folding the staff, as indicated in Fig. 1, the sleeve 9 is drawn downwardly past the pivotal connections or joints by which the two parts of'the' staff are connected together, when the upper part 2 is folded down against the lower part 3, when said-folded parts are inverted and inserted in the inclosing case 6, as indicated in Fig. 1, whereby said parts will be retained in their folded position by said inclosing case, while the base 7 will be secured in the top of the case, as previously described, by the engagement of the radial pin with the groove.

When, however, said signal-flag and stafi are withdrawn from the case preparatory to using the same, the sleeve 9 will be thrown outwardly by the recoil of said spiral spring 10 against said sleeve 9, whereby said sleeve 9, acting successively against the link 4 and the upper end of the staff 2, will cause said parts to be instantaneously thrown from their folded position (shown in Fig. 1) to the extended position, (shownin Fig. 3,) when the sleeve 9 will be retained around the pivotal connections of said stafi, whereby the same will be rigidly held in line with each other in the extended position. (Indicated in Fig. 3.) This being done, the flag-inclosing case 0 is attached to the other side of thebase 7, as indicated in Fig.3, when it serves as a handle to the stafi. Thus it will be obvious that when the parts are thus unfolded and con case, and when said parts are folded they may be conveniently carried in a persons pocket.

While our device is more especially adapt ed to be used by railway men for signaling trains, &c., it is obvious that the same may be conveniently used for carrying and displa 'ng such flags as are used at ball-games an for other similar occasions Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a signaling device, the combination of a flag, a staff formed of two foldable parts pivotally connected together; an inclosing case and means for attaching the base of the staff to the mouth of the staff-inclosing case.

2. In a signaling device, the combination of a flag; a stafi formed of two parts pivotally connected together; a base permanently connected with the lower end of said stafl; a stafi-inclosing case, said base being adapted to serve the twofold purpose of a cover to the case and as a means of connecting the lower end of the stafi to the top of the case when the case is used as a handle.

3. In a signaling device, the combination of a flag; a staff formed of two parts; -means for pivotally connecting such parts together; a sleeve slidably supported on said stafi and adapted to be slid over the pivotal connections of said parts and hold them in line with each other when extended; a base attached to the lower end of said staff, a staff-inclosing case, said base being adapted to serve both as a cover to said case and as a means of connecting said staff with the upper end of said case when used as a handle.

4. In a signaling device, the combination of a flag; a staff formed of two parts; means for pivotally connecting such parts together; a sleeve sli ably supported on said staff and adapted to be slid over the pivotal connections of said parts and hold them in line with each other when extended; a sleeve-actuating spring; a spring-supporting shoulder located on the lower end of said staff, said spring bein interposed between said shoulder and sai sleeve and adapted by its recoil, to force said sleeve above the pivotal connec tions of said staff, all substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof We afiiX our signatures in the presence of two Witnesses.

EDWARD PAX. WILLIAM D. OARRICK. Witnesses:

JAS. B. ERWIN, NELLIE TAUGHER. 

